The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Weight Loss
Posted by Randy San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas, Usa) on 04/29/2012
★★★★★
Having gone through some painful gum surgeries I was looking for methods of healing up my gums and restoring receding tissue. I happen across Earth Clinic and tried pulling sesame oil. It was pleasant enough and seemed to help so I did it twice a day for maybe 6 days when the headaches got too bad. Now it is my worst allergy time of year so I don't know if it was the pulling or the stuff in the air that was giving me grief. A day and a half later the headache gone I resumed pulling and noticed that my pants were loose around my waist so I stepped on the scale to discover I had dropped 8 pounds in about a week and a half. Now for the record, since my mouth was so sore I was drinking chocolate shakes for some of my meals. This is something I never do but the thought of something cold, rich and most importantly soft was too good to pass up so my caloric intake was much higher than normal. I also noticed the grey hair in my beard was turning brown again and my teeth are brighter - more prominent than before. My gums are pinker and more healthy looking and the cracks on my heals are gone. All in all I am happy with the progress I am making with sesame oil pulling.
I pull first thing in the morning and again before lunch or dinner. I have the feeling that pulling before I eat in the morning might be setting my metabolism higher then it would normally be and that is what is burning calories as well as giving me a feeling of more energy. I base this conclusion on the fact so many weight loss experts recommend you eat your biggest meal of the day when you break your fast. I follow my morning pull with a tbsp of coconut oil and eat my breakfast about two hours later. What will be interesting is if this weight loss is permanent or will my system get used to this and slow the metabolism down to plump me up again. (I am about 5 - 10 pounds over weight)
p. S. I have a mouth full of old silver filings and they are still in place.
Randy San Antonio
Dental Issues
Posted by Karen (Broomfield, Co, Usa) on 01/25/2012
★★★★★
I found this website and read about oil pulling. It was of interest to me because the last time I went for a dental cleaning the dentist suggested gum surgery for receeding gums. For the last few months (with breaks while travelling) I have swished organic, white, unrefined sesame oil in my mouth for less than one minute each evening and then spit it out. I know everyone says 5-10 minutes but that's not realistic for me (I will just avoid it) so I decided to do it for a minute or less after I brush and floss and while I am dressing for bed. Just had another dental cleaning today. Normal gums! The dentists didn't even want to measure the gums this time! This healed my gums with minimal time, little effort and little cost. AND to boot, it's helped me tremendously with my allergies. I know the die hard people will say 1 minute it too short but all I can say is that it's worked for me, big time!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Convinced (New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada) on 09/21/2011
★★★★★
I have been OPing for almost two weeks and am just amazed. I guess for me it was worth it just to finally, finally have a lymph node that is normal, not swollen or infected. It went down in a matter of three days. My teeth are whiter, my skin is smooth, I am feeling calm and relaxed and sleeping better. The first couple of days, yes, I had bad headaches and some fatigue but you soldier on, it's only temporary. The benefits are worth it in the end!!
Safflower Oil
Posted by Hopeso (England) on 07/02/2011
★★★★★
Hi - Tried oil pulling a while ago but didn't have much wrong with me so only found the benefit of whiter teeth. A couple of years ago I went to my dentist about a bad taste in my mouth - he said he couldn't see anything wrong but gargle with mouth wash. I did try this but it didn't really work. Since then my tooth is very sensitive to cold and hot things and I have been restricted to eating on one side of mouth. Its been like this for well over a year and I have been thinking I must go to the dentist (but didn't really want to).
Anyhow bought some Safflower oil the other day and started to oil pull in the mornings. I have only done this for 3 days and I can now eat on both sides and don't have a problem with hot or cold. I normally don't believe people when they say "Oh yes it was amazing" but here I go "Yes it was amazing, and I'm telling the truth". I'm so happy I don't have to go to the dentist. I think I'm always going to oil pull now. NB A few of my friends have been put off oil pulling because of the 20 mins - but if you keep busy instead of waiting for the 20 mins to be up you find it actually flies by. Hope this helps someone. Jules
Oral Lichen Planus
Posted by Jtk (Independence, Missouri) on 02/22/2011
★★★★★
I have been pulling oil for about six weeks & though I'm not cured, my condition is dramatically better than on any previous day over the past 10 years.
I first heard of oil pulling in Dr Ott's column in our local newspaper, I then looked it up on the web. I bought a bottle of sesame oil at the grocery that tasted awful as it was pure but toasted. I misremembered what I'd quickly read/scanned on the web and bought a big bottle of safflower oil at a local health food store and started using it. I immediately began to see results and within a week or so my mouth was mostly healed up. The first time in over ten years without constant pain.
Enjoying such remarkable results I started reading more about oil pulling and realized that sunflower not safflower was the preferred oil. The next time I visited the health food store I picked up big bottles of sesame and sunflower and a bottle of hemp oil. I began pulling three times a day, with the very delicious hemp mid-day, in a couple of days I suddenly had day long diarrhea every 30-40 minutes followed by a half day of the same. I quit the hemp oil and my stool firmed up. I continued twice a day alternating between the sesame and sunflower, then I went to once a day first with sesame for a few days then sunflower for a few days all the while my old symptoms were resurfacing though not nearly so virulently. I then decided to revert to the safflower oil that seemed to have done so much good at first and my mouth seems better by the day; not perfect but lots better. Once a day seems sufficient though I sometimes pull at bedtime as well as morning.
My point here is that different oils definitely do different things and those things may differ with the individual. There is no question in my mind as to the power of oil pulling.
To give some idea of my condition:
I have had clinically diagnosed (biopsy) oral lichen planus which has persisted and worsened for more than 10 years. Modern medical science can only offer steroids to lessen symptoms (and the one med- pack I took didn't help at all) or oral steroid ointments, that also did no good. Alternative medicine offers three basic cures that list different countries of origin but all mail out of Pakistan, modest benefit if any. Limiting spicy and acidic foods helped slightly. Various homeopathic, vitamin, colloidal silver and nutritional protocols weren't helpful. A tea tree oil mouthwash did about as much as anything. For much of the time brushing my teeth was out of the question.
My condition has been a never ending series of almost healing for a few days followed by blisters that cover the inside of the cheeks and over the gums which burst and then peel in layers for days & weeks on end keeping the inside of my mouth raw to the point it hurt to drink water and it hurt even more when eating. As I write this I can still find sore spots in my mouth, but I have to seek them out. I am noticing other changes like smelling things I haven't smelled in years.
I am only 6 weeks into this we'll see how it is in 12. JTK
Dental Issues
Posted by Bessie (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 10/13/2010
Hi Carly - I have several amalgam fillings, several porcelain fillings, two root canals and my husband has crowns but neither of us have experienced any problems at all with oil pulling. I've been oil pulling for over a year now, usually with sesame oil but I've also used coconut and olive oils.
Totally off the subject, but another thing I do for oral health is massage my gums (thumb on one side of the gum, forefinger on the other) - massage with light circular motion. It strengthens and brings circulation to the gums. I do it in the shower, because it can get a bit "drooly" - hope this helps! Cheers.
Dental Issues
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 10/14/2010
Hi Dee, no, as I used to be a photographer and travel writer I had my fillings changed to modern ones a few years ago as the dentist was afraid that I would get problems due to my many flights.
By the way, I want to thank all the advice I got here after losing my tooth. I have chose to do an implant but I will do it in a very good clinic in Switzerland since we found out that I lost my tooth (which had had a root canal and the filling replaced a lot of times) only because the dentist here in France didn't care to cap the tooth. We don't know why he didn't do it yet but we have written him a letter. All the dental treatments cost a lot of money, so did pulling the tooth and now the implant is going to be awfully expensive, all for no reason! Be careful and if you don't trust some treatment get a second opinion, it may be worth the money!
Sinus Infections
Posted by Kaitlin (Chester, Va) on 05/10/2010
★★★★★
I have been incredibly ill with a sinus infection the last three days--high fever, sore throat, yellow mucus, horrible headaches, and even vomiting. This one was really a doozy; I haven't been this sick in a long time! I tried oil pulling with the extra virgin olive oil I had in the cupboard, and after three minutes I had to spit it out because I started coughing up mucus and didn't stop for five minutes. My head started clearing up, too. While my throat is now even more sore from the coughing, the rest of me feels relief for the first time in days! I will definitely continue oil pulling and update on the results.
Dental Issues
Posted by Christel (Nolanville, Tx, United States) on 03/31/2010
★★★★★
Some months ago I had this terrible tootache (not the first time-always the same one) and tried several things, all of which where short lived relief. I searched the web and came upon this strange thing called oil pulling. Curiosity made me read up on it and since I had no sunflower oil (as mostly recommended) I decided to give it a try with extra virgin olive oil (which I keep at all times). It was almost like a miracle. The throbbing subsided almost immediately and after 3 days it was all gone, including the swelling. Since then I have not had any problems with this particular tooth, I just try to keep the area very clean, and since I have learned a thing or two about toothpastes I now brush my teeth with bentonite clay. I really wish I had known a lot of things a few years ago, I might have been able to safe the rest of my teeth (I wear a full denture on top), but now I want to at least keep what I have left on the bottom, and so far it's working.
Congestion
Posted by Camille (Houston, Tx) on 02/07/2010
★★★★★
Hi! Oil Pulling with extra virgin olive oil cured the congestion in my chest and helped me breathe easier! I was having trouble breathing when I wake up in the morning. I could not take a satisfyingly deep breath- my chest was too congested (I am a smoker, hopefully a non-smoker soon). I read about oil pulling and tried it this morning. I used olive oil this time but I am going to pick up coconut oil later today. I swished a tablespoon of evoo for 15 minutes. As I swished, I felt the congestion in my chest breaking up. After spitting out the evoo into the toilet, i was able to cough up some unwanted phlem, thus allowing me to breathe!!! I am going to keep oil pulling!! THANKS EARTHCLINIC!!
Back Pain, Severe
Posted by Toomuchswagger (Atlanta, Ga) on 10/12/2009
★★★★★
Benefits of using Sesame Oil for Oil Pulling Therapy
I tried Sesame Oil after experiencing severe back pain from a tramatic injury to my tailbone and my coccyx bone became misaligned, which caused severe pain when I'm sitting down. I also have chronic knee pain, stomach pains, occasional headaches and an infection on the right side of my mouth. I began the oil pulling therapy on July 21, 2009 and after 3-4 weeks I saw a noticeable decrease in my back pain. I used to have difficulty being seated for periods longer than one hour and had horrible pain after riding in a car or driving for long distances. I have experienced such remarkable improvements in my results that I was able to drive from Georgia to Maryland with no pain in my back or my knee, 5 weeks after I began oil pulling therapy. I no longer have headaches or pain in my stomach. I have also noticed that the pain in my mouth is gone because the infection has obviously disappeared!! I feel absolutely wonderful that I am now pain-free and I have accomplished this without surgery or chemical drugs and medication. I am happy to say that my girlfriend and family members have now begun oil pulling therapy.
Dental Issues
Posted by Hadessah (Charlotte, Nc) on 09/08/2009
★★★★★
I use 1 teaspoon extra virgin Olive Oil for 15 minutes every morning, first thing.
Oil Pulling has made my teeth stronger and whiter and it is healing a disorder I was going to doctors for nearly 20 years. I've tried all kinds of antibiotics to cure sinusitis. Now after oil-pulling, I feel the pressure in my upper gum, above where a tooth was extracted. Above the bony part of the gum. So I 've had an abcess for two decades. No wonder people stepped back when talking to me. My breath smelled like 20 year old decay.
I developed tinnitis and oil-pulling may eventually clear up all the abcess right at the base of my maxillary sinus, BUT actually above the bony part of my gum where a tooth was extracted in the 80s.
Dental Issues
Posted by Allen (Austin, MN) on 07/20/2009
★★★★★
I've tried several kinds of oil for oil pulling and I find olive oil to be the best by far. My dentist is impressed with the results too... as my gums have reattached to my teeth. I use 1 tsp twice a day for 15 mins. When I first wake up and right before bed. It doesn't taste very good at first but after 15 mins. by mouth feels very clean. It's very soothing for a tooth ache or cut inside your mouth too.
Congestion
Posted by Elliotsmum (London, United Kingdom) on 05/17/2009
★★★★★
I have just started oil pulling in a bid to help my gum disease. I tried olive oil 1T for the first time as that was all I had. I went out and bought some avacado oil with lemon as I thought that would taste a little better. It does.
I am currently using 1/2 a TBSP as I find it hard to keep in a whole TBSP due to loads of saliva.
I will update regarding my gum disease when I have visited the Periodontist in July.
I have however noticed the following: the bags under my eyes have flattened down considerably and strangely enough my sinus's cleared so well - I was not even aware how congested I was until they cleared. Will keep you updated.
Insights and Theories
Posted by Christinej (Surprise, Arizona, Usa) on 07/09/2010
Canola oil should not be used for oil pulling. I agree with this comment 100%. I have researched Canola oil and it is bad stuff.
Insights and Theories
Posted by Douglas (Md) on 08/19/2013
No canola oil is not at all healthy. It is one of the main causes of diabetes. When using canola oil it takes 6 months to undo the damage from 1 serving of this nasty oil. It places an artificial fat wall around your cells walls that disrupt the electrical balance of your cells. This fat wall then does not allow glucose to properly penetrate. This knocks your pancreatic cells out of whack which produce Insulin and causes blood sugar imbalance. You can fix this in about 6 months if you cut out all canola oil as well as all margirin and vegetable oil. Buy a bottle of cold pressed Flaxseed oil and a bag of ground flaxseed. The ground flaxseed has to be used as soon as its introduced to the air because it goes rancid very quick. The flaxseed oil must have the top secured at all times and kept away from heat and light. Mix 1 table spoon with 2 tablespoons of 4% milkfat cottage cheese. Or you can double the amount depending on how hungry you are. Mix very well. Take this mixture and add in 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed. Mix well and you can optionaly add cinnamon for blood sugar balancing(it mimmicks insulin) and apricott or organic fruit of your choice. Eat this 3 times per day. This diet is known as the budwig diet and it reverses diabetes as well as cancer. Avoid taking vitamin C when using this diet at least 3 hours before or after eating. The flaxseed oil mixes with the fat of the cottage cheese in a way that makes it become water soluble. The oil then can bypass the liver and directly bring oxygenation to your cells and organs through your blood stream. Your diabetes will be reversed within 6 months or less if you eliminate all bad fats especialy canola, margerin, and vegetable oils. Also if you can get organic cottage cheese that is the prefered type to use. God bless and good luck to everyone. Sending light and love out to all that read this!!!!!!!!!!
Insights and Theories
Posted by Hotlava (Seattle) on 10/22/2013
Canola Oil should be strictly avoided- its ALL genetically modified, meaning genes from differing species are artificially added to the plant genetic reproduction... nothing to do with traditional agricultural genetic breeding (ex, begonias or apples)! The name itself is short for Canada Oil, and it is a modern agricultural product, not a centuries-old traditional food that has withstood the test of time in human nutrition.
Transgenic modifications were created for the sole purpose of a few corporations owning patent rights to our food supply, no matter how much they declare they are "feeding the world" and helping our meet out outrageous population needs. It's all political and economic rhetoric to increase their profit margins and corporate survival. Very little unbiased research has been PUBLISHED, meaning most scientific research on the topic is contaminated with economic agendas.
Human's have farmed for how long without the help of Monsanto/ DuPont? And now those companies own the game!
Google "Institute for Responsible Technology" to get a list of documentaries that will change your life regarding the topic (plus a host of powerpoint slides showing GMO food health implication in animal studies). Mercola.com is another good resource. Educate yourself about the health impacts of GM foods and agriculture, and don't buy into big agribusiness' political campaigns!
The best step forward is to have manditory labeling of GMO's on our food labels, so we can have personal soverignty (right to choose), and we can pay attention to what we are REALLY eating.
If avoiding GM foods improves a person's health, then so be it! If not, then we can research with a new hypothesis! This is the scientific method, currently being denied to the American Public due to corporate manipulation.
Any time I am force-fed information that is convenient to corporations or corporately-owned governments (*cough*), I ask myself "who is profiting off this information?"
Blessings to the Earth Clinic community... people's power is in learning and educating themselves!
Castor Oil
Posted by Susan (Oshkosh, WI) on 03/18/2009
Hello everyone! I have become addicted to the site like everybody else. I have a question about oil pulling. I made it through five pages and did not see anything about food grade Castor Oil. I kept thinking about the Cayce remedies and his great results for many ailments using Castor Oil. Has anyone tried it? Does anyone know of a reason it should not be used for oil pulling? My intuition keeps telling me to try it, and I believe that we are often led to the right thing for ourselves. To everyone who is working on healing themselves, don't give up! If one thing does not work for you try again and again. In the trying you reinforce the "health"vibration around you. You are not alone in your seking and all of us who read your posts are pulling[no pun intended] for you and with you!
Insights and Theories
Posted by Melissa (Marseille) on 09/16/2021
For the real oregano essential oil ... I found it in www.maisonlaget.fr amazing quality, .
Insights and Theories
Posted by Liz Turner (Devon, Uk) on 01/15/2014
Have started using coconut oil but not sure how you can fit a whole tablespoon in your mouth, even a full teaspoon feels a lot of oil! Are you sure its not meant to be a teaspoon?!
Loose Teeth
Posted by Hollis (Hilo, Hawaii) on 11/04/2007
★★★★★
I've been pulling oil since 10/06 and feel that the most obvious improvment is in my teeth and gums.....bright white teeth and healthy gums that hold my teeth firmly in place where they used to be loose before. Also I sleep more soundly and feel refreshed in the morning. I want to do this for the rest of my life and wonder if that would be OK or not. Is there anything negative that could come from my pulling oil once a day forever.....I'm 65 and it sure beats medication.
Weight Loss
Posted by Arlene (Findlay, Ohio) on 07/27/2007
★★★★★
I have been doing oil pulling since June 1st. I have used extra virgin olive oil but today bought some sunflower oil to try. I cleaned my mouth before and after oil pulling but read today that you do it after. Anyway, I have lost 12 pounds so metabolism has increased. My mouth feels healthier. I have more energy. I plan to do it for a very long time. Let me know about cleaning mouth before and after. Thanks
